Feeling Unprepared

Coordinating life to prepare for a second baby is much more challenging than with the first. Everett is such a good helper, which I love, but naturally his presence can be more of a hindrance than anything when a deadline is in place: February. Most of our prep work must then be done after he goes to bed, but after working a 9-hour shift while pregnant, I can tell you the last thing I want to be doing at 8pm is painting/laundry/planning. As a result, I have done a lot of hiding my head and pretending that things will eventually work themselves out. Not a good solution.

Last week my boss shut down work an hour early, and I danced (with a waddle) a victory dance out the door. A WHOLE HOUR TO MYSELF. To tackle this giant mess...

This is the nursery. Don't judge! I honestly wish I had a before picture from a few weeks ago, because it was even worse.We have managed to purge a couch, chest freezer, TV stand, old chandelier, and queen box spring, and now we are left with this. This room has been a catchall for months, so much of the setback has been from our organizing the rest of the house before facing the nursery design.

It is amazing what one can get accomplished in an hour, especially when it is during a period of the day that isn't plagued by heartburn. I wouldn't necessarily say I've made a New Year's resolution, but I have definitely been better about writing things down and making lists to organize my thoughts after the chaos of the holidays. Doing this helps me compartmentalize things, as well as prioritize, and pregnancy brain is a bit more controlled when there is a visual reminder. A whole hour last week gave me the chance to create a list, as well as begin a few of the more daunting items.

By setting realistic goals for myself ("I will accomplish 3 large tasks on my list over the weekend."), I finally feel like I can pull myself together to get things in place for when the baby comes. As we speak, car seat covers and baby clothes are being laundered. We have manged to blow through many of the projects on the to-do list, and we have managed to add many more. I call this progress. This weekend we plan to install the car seat bases, which blows my mind that we are at this point already. Soon we will be packing our bags and putting our contacts on 24/7 alert.

Baby is coming!

32 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy is a funny thing. Some women love it, some women hate it. 

Today I told myself I will no longer have heartburn, so this is the way it is going to be from now on. I'm hoping my body remembers the conversation we had, because we still have a long way to go.

I overheard a group of retired (read: old and creepy) men at church commenting on my pregnancy glow, and how beautiful pregnant women truly are (read: they were staring at my chest). The irony being that, at this exact moment, I was swallowing heartburn bile, wiping my bloody nose, suffering from a contraction that was radiating down my left leg, and trying not to cry after a woman suggested I was having twins. This last thing is a major blow. I don't remember it happening so much with my first pregnancy, but people continue to comment on how HUGE I am. I checked with the doctor, and he says I gained the exact amount of weight at this point in my first pregnancy. When I search Google for images, other women are the same size I am at 32 weeks. Why are people so insensitive in 2015-almost-2016? It's a bad, BAD time to be pregnant.

I am almost ashamed to post pictures of my side belly. Here I am. Getting over my shame. Please congratulate me and call me Woman. Also...my boobs could not get any bigger. Just putting it out there.

How do I feel?
I have good days and bad days. Even on the good days, I do not think my hips can possibly spread any further. My heartburn is excruciating, often waking me up in the middle of the night by implanting bile in my mouth. It's really fun. I especially enjoy feeling like I'm going to puke every time I bend over to pick up my son.

Weight gain?
26 lbs. Don't gasp. I didn't when I stepped on the scale.

Food cravings?
Avocados! Dairy seems to temporarily relieve the heartburn, so I sometimes sneak a couple scoops of ice cream before bed. I'll run it off after the baby comes.

Food aversions?
Peanut butter. It exacerbates the heartburn.

We had a cookie exchange at work the other day. Cookie exchanges are magical, except every single cookie is different, but they are all mingling together in the cookie jar, which means every cookie tastes like peppermint peanut butter. Hmmmm...I think I'll eat a cookie now - one that hasn't been tainted by "other" cookies.

Sleep?
I will usually wake up once during the night. To get back to sleep I pick up the iPad and read a book until I fall back asleep. No complaints here.

Movement?
Lots of movement! There seem to be a lot of elbow and knee thingamajigs.

Stretch marks?
Not yet.

Bellybutton?
Innie. I don't think this is going to change.

Sex?
It's a girl. :)

In conclusion, STOP CALLING ME FAT. Your mom's fat.

Book Club {2}

Well, we are all alive. Barely.

It has been a stressful and terrifying week for a lot of people in the Spokane area. Last Tuesday there was a terrible storm that knocked out power for 90% of the city. For most people, power was restored within 5 days, but many are still in cold houses, and will be eating out for Thanksgiving. The stress of the week caused us to cancel our Thanksgiving trip, and we are pretty bummed. However, the uncertainty and fears that come with being without power in the dead of winter - worrying about damage to our house from the storm, constantly wondering when the pipes would burst from the cold, and wearing the same outfit every day - was just too much for us to handle on top of packing for a road trip. So, we are home for the holidays.

One of the only things you can do to escape the stresses of life in a power outage is to read. This is why I thought now would be an appropriate time to list all my favorite books I've ready over the last few months. Hopefully you have some camping equipment on hand, just in case you are reading in the dark like we were.

Me Before You. This book came as a recommendation from my coworker, and it is deeeeeelightful. If you liked The Fault in Our Stars, you will also love this. The protagonist is such a refreshing character, and I had a hard time putting the book down. There is a sequel called Me After You, and I will be reading it ASAP! In fact, I already have my name on the waitlist for it at the library.

Luckiest Girl Alive. A lot of people are comparing this book to Gone Girl. The danger of doing this is that you keep reading, expecting the same Gone Girl twist. News flash: it never comes. Which is good! No one likes a copycat! There are still surprising events, but not the same shocking plot twist that happen in Gillian Flynn's novel. The main character in Luckiest Girl Alive is not so likable on the outside, but her inner monologue reminds us that people always have a reason for behaving the way they do. I appreciated the themes covered in this book, particularly from her high school experiences, and I think this is a relevant read for the issues we face in today's chaotic world.

Just Mercy. This is a nonfiction book every American should read. When someone from the Pacific Northwest talks about racism in the United States, we have NO idea what "racism" really means. We can read articles online and hear stories in the media, but we never really understand without witnessing firsthand what goes on in our world, EVEN TODAY. This book is just...the best. Read it now. Especially if you are white.

Maude. This book is a biography written by Maude's granddaughter Donna. At first I was a little turned off by the voice of the book, but soon realized it was written as if Maude herself was telling me these stories firsthand. This amazing woman went through everything: World War I, the Spanish Influenza, the Great Depression, World War II, and so many other important historic (and personal) events. Despite these hardships, she presented herself with grace. She is an inspiration to Woman, and her strength is inspiring. I wish I could have known her. I hope you own a Kindle/iPad, because the e-version of this book is much cheaper than the paperback.

Wild. Another nonfiction, but this one is an autobiography. I think most people have read this book, but it is worth mentioning here just in case. I love stories of redemption, and I love hiking, so this book was a good read for me. Although I do not agree with all the life choices she made, I am inspired by Cheryl Strayed's resiliency. Heck, I don't even think she agrees with all the life decisions she's made! This story encourages you to find your true self through deep reflection and nature. Along this same genre, I also read Into the Wild. However, I do not list this second book as a "favorite" here because I feel Christopher McCandless had a mental illness and/or personal trauma that lead to his decisions, and ultimately his death. The poor kid needed help, and instead chose to withdraw. Please know that Wild and Into the Wild are very different stories.

The Language of Flowers. I'm starting to see a pattern in modern literature: brokenness and redemption. This book has these same themes, but with flowers. It is another delightful read about love and life. The main character uses flowers to convey her emotions, and I loved learning what each flower represents.

Chestnut Street. Good ole Maeve. She just had a way of writing delightful books. This is a collection of stories from people who live on Chestnut Street in Dublin, Ireland. Although each chapter focuses on a different character (as many of Maeve's books do), I loved hearing about each person's story, and always wanted to know more. I had a smile on my face at the end of the story, which is never a bad thing when it comes to reading.

A Shift in the Air. Wow, this list is getting long. But we are ending it with a goooood one because everyone needs a little werewolf erotica in their lives. The Elemental Shifter Series is certainly entertaining, and don't worry, it is not raunchy romance like Fifty Shades of Grey. There is more story than there is...you know...werewolf sex. I do not feel bad for saying this, because I think the author would say it too, her first book in the series is not as good as the second book. So why did I read the second book after reading a mediocre first book? Because my friend edited it! Which is obviously why the second book is so much better. Duh. Despite these facts, the first book isn't really that bad. It just isn't as well written as the second, which means it's already better written than Fifty Shades of Grey. Anyway, if you are looking for a fun read, or if you are a closet romance novel enthusiast, you should definitely try this series.

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That's probably enough for now. As I mentioned, I have my name on the waitlist for a couple books at the library, but I am always taking suggestions. Suggest away!

Halloween 2015

Halloween this year was one to remember. I wish I could go back and experience the day again, and I would not change a thing. Not even the windy and stormy weather.

Jeff had to work in the morning, but he managed to find the last pumpkin available on the South Hill before heading out for a couple hours. We carved our pumpkin, lit candles, played catch, roasted pumpkin seeds, took a nap, and watched Curious George. When Jeff got home we ate pizza, then snatched a ton of candy. We decided to go trick-or-treating with Everett's cousins this year. It was helpful for him to go with other kids, especially ones he knows well. They were incredibly patient and helped him at every house.

Dropped the spoon inside the pumpkin and is pretty disgusted by the texture.

I finished Everett's costume a few days before Halloween, which gave him plenty of time to get used to the idea of wearing it. The last two years he wanted nothing to do with costumes. Now that he has some autonomy, I let him decide what he wanted to be, he watched me sew the costume, and we tried it on once a day "to make sure it still fits."

Everett was adamant about being a lion. Since I needed a pattern stat (no time for shipping), and since Joann's was having a sale on patterns (only $1.99 per pattern!), I had to get a little creative with what they had in stock. I settled on Simplicity 1351 and made a couple adjustments.

Using the raccoon template, the body of the costume was pretty much the same, but obviously I did not need to put a mask on the hood, as this was where the mane would be going. I also skipped the tail part, as lions do not have raccoon tails. The mane was created with strips of felt, looped then sewed down. I wanted to use a fleece fabric for this part, but could not find the shade of orange I wanted. Se la vie.

At the end I felt kind of lazy. I am pretty sure I skipped all the hardest parts of the pattern (face applique, tail), but this was what he wanted, and you have to give the people what they want. E was incredibly cozy on the cold, autumn day. AND I spent less than $20 for the whole ensemble. Thanks Joann's! 

Speaking of Halloween and cold weather, what's the point dressing little girls in princess costumes? They either end up freezing, or they have to wear a jacket over their gown! I guess having a warm Halloween is one benefit of living in the southern half of the country.

Costume 2014 / Costume 2013

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies {Gender Reveal}

For most people this day and age, a text is enough to convey a message to the masses. To a hormonal pregnant lady with insane nesting instincts, it makes more sense to stay up until midnight baking and decorating cookies to convey a message. Mostly I just wanted cookies. For myself.

I purposely scheduled my official anatomy ultrasound late in the afternoon. As my coworkers were dying to know what we were having, this appointment time made it possible for me to go straight home and prepare a little announcement before blabbing to everyone at work, therefore eliminating my excuse to make/consume cookies. Even though everyone already "knew" it was a girl (I am definitely carrying like it's a girl), they could not wait to see if basic women's intuition and the old wives were right.

To make the big announcement I put some cookies in a basket, wrapped in regular sandwich bags and tied with simple pink ribbon. Of course, they were arranged much more perfectly than is displayed in the picture...until the 2-year-old started messing with them. Sigh. The cookies were accompanied by these little inserts I made:

What better flavors to represent pregnancy than peanut butter and chocolate? Ladies and gentlegays, behold:

Emily's Favorite Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

 Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter, cooled to room temperature
• 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup (plus more) Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips

Sift dry ingredients together.

Using a mixer, cream butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla. Stir in the peanut butter and mix thoroughly, then gradually add the dry ingredients until the ingredients are mixed thoroughly. Mix in a cup) of the Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips. Then add more chocolate chips if you have a sweet tooth like me.

Cover and refrigerate dough for 30 minutes, or until firm.

When dough has hardened, preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 2 cookie sheets.

Roll the hardened dough into balls and press flat with a fork, making criss-cross patterns on each cookie. Bake for 12-15 minutes. The cookies should be lightly browned. Transfer baked cookies to a rack and allow them to cool.

Dig in!

Telecommuting (3)

Everett and I had quite the busy telecommuting day. Between checking emails and finishing work projects, we brought the cat to a $400 vet appointment (not doing that again), worked on his Halloween costume, went to a parent-teacher conference at his school, got his hair cut, and visited the Finch Arboretum. At the end of the day I went to prego yoga, then crashed on the couch and binge watched Vampire Diaries.

What a perfect day it was! I was especially ecstatic about taking Everett to the arboretum on a day when there weren't a million families in matching outfits getting their Christmas photos taken (that will be us in a couple weeks, so no judgment).

Observing the leaves falling from the trees.

Everett's favorite part of the arboretum is the stream. Big surprise?

He loved throwing leaves in the water, then watching them float away. I find these types of activities helpful for raising a little boy. They do not need piles of toys to stay entertained when imagination and natural reasoning skills are properly developed.

We found an awesome pile of leaves on our way back to the car. 

I have a hysterical video of him jumping in the pile, turning around to tell me to stop taking pictures, then walking toward me demanding I put my phone away. After that he searched really hard to find me the perfect leaf. Such a sweet and sassy boy! And for the record, he loved watching those videos of himself later. You're welcome, sonny. Mom knows best.

 The arboretum is one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon in Spokane. I love exploring all the trails and unique trees, and Everett had a pretty good time, too.

We absolutely love the gal who cuts Everett's hair. If you live in Spokane and need someone to do your family's hair, Miranda is theeee best. She is great with kids, and has a kid-friendly area for when moms and dads need to get their hair done. Most of the time I will book Everett's and my appointment back to back, then he gets to play with her awesome toys while I get beautified. I will not let anyone else touch my hair, or Everett's for that matter. You have to book her pretty far in advance, because she is that awesome, but the wait is totally worth it.

I am so proud of this little guy. He is growing up to be quite the young man. He is respectful to his friends, has made huge strides with sharing (thanks daycare!), I can trust him when he's playing independently, and he has been an incredible listener these last few weeks. Of course he has his moments, but at the end of the day I feel so lucky to be his mom. #blessed

22 Weeks Pregnant

Bellies and bodies are getting huge over here. It seems that people are either commenting on how huge I am getting, or they are telling me I do not even look pregnant. I certainly feel pregnant everywhere. I look in the mirror and feel like a cow, my hips and ligaments are sore, and I am in that awkward phase where I am hungry all the time, yet nothing sounds good.

Last night Jeff and I went to a birthing prep class offered by my prenatal yoga teacher. I always find her classes helpful for my aches and pains, and I love to witness all the expecting mamas grow from week to week. When I was in labor with Everett, I used many of the calming exercises she taught in class to progress the labor. Since I was in labor for only 6 hours, I would say it worked!

Last night husbands were welcome to join us in class, and they learned tips on how to help us through labor. We practiced massage techniques, yoga poses, breathing exercises, and they were given general guidelines on how to be our advocate at the hospital. Toward the end of class the partners were seated against the wall with their legs spread, and the women were nestled against their chests. We were instructed to relax against them and breathe, while they were pushing on pressure points used to relieve pain. I was so relaxed and calm, and closed my eyes. At this moment I had an out of body experience. My past self from 10 years ago was in the room watching. How could I have known, 10 years ago, that I would be here? I was nestled against my warm, caring husband, our beautiful child was sleeping peacefully at home, and we were preparing for the birth of our second baby. Does life get any better than this?

If we could see ourselves 10 years into the future, how much more would we appreciate the present moment? I could not be more content with my life, but I seldom stop to give thanks for all the rich blessings I have.

For those interested, Neely offers the birthing prep class at Harmony Yoga Studio every few weeks. The cost is only $40 per couple, which is totally worth it. Follow her on Facebook (Neely's Yoga) to get news and information about her upcoming workshops.

- SHIRT: Full Moon Maternity via Stitch Fix Maternity - PANTS: Margaret M Maternity via Stitch Fix Maternity - SHOES: TOMS Flats via Zulily

How do I feel?
As I sit here I think, "I feel great!" Then when I try to stand up everything falls apart. This pubic symphisis is killing me. If there is anyone out there who knows a cure (that is not Tylenol), please contact me immediately. The yoga, stretching, and strengthening helps, but my "area" is still on fire. 

Weight gain?
17 lbs. At first I thought I was letting myself go, then I realized this is exactly how much I gained by this point with Everett. Phew. I'm gonna go eat now.

Food cravings?
My most recent obsession is lime flavored mineral water. La Croix and Trader Joe's are my two favorite brands, but I am always willing to try new products. I am also loving anything with hella flavor. This means I am dousing anything and everything with hot sauce.

Food aversions?
Not really. The heartburn is starting to kick in at night, so I am sure I will need to step back on the hot sauce here pretty quick.

Sleep?
I am sleeping like a champ these days! My current routine is as follows:

• 7:45pm get ready for bed
• 8:00pm start reading book on the couch
• By 8:30pm fall asleep on the couch
• 11:00pm wake from nap 
• 11:15 read book in bed (I'm surprisingly energized at this time)
• 12:00am fall back asleep for the rest of the night

The other day my Fitbit told me I slept 11 hours. This is unheard of with a toddler! Not every night is bliss though. I have awoken to a couple debilitating leg cramps. Neely says that taking calcium magnesium before bed helps with night cramps, so I will have to try this if the symptoms worsen.

Movement?
Lots of movement! It is funny how baby already has a schedule. I can count on movement at certain times of the day, and for the most part the schedule is pretty consistent.

Stretch marks?
Not that I can see.

Bellybutton?
Innie. I don't think this is going to change.

Sex?
It's a...

There were more balloons in that bunch before Everett popped them.

What have I learned?
I am trying really hard not to be a crazy person, despite the raging hormones and excruciating pain I am always in. I believe that children inherit a mother's emotional baggage, and this transfers to real life when they exit the womb. I do not want our little girl to hear me shouting at Everett in frustration, or yelling at people who cut me off during rush hour traffic. Even though she's not currently here, she can still hear and sense everything that is happening. In fact, I feel her moving around (in agitation?) when I start to lose it. As hard as these emotions are to manage, I am still going to try, and I think (hope!) the yoga and breathing exercises I learn in class will help.